Camping in the Adirondack foothills near Fort Ann, New York offers sites nestled among elevations ranging from 400 to 1,200 feet, creating varied terrain for outdoor recreation. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 75-85°F and winter lows reaching well below freezing. Campers should note that the camping season typically runs from May through mid-October, with some rv campgrounds near Fort Ann, New York opening as early as the first week of May.
What to do
Swimming at natural sites: Jamaica State Park Campground features multiple swimming options including access to waterfall pools. "There's also another waterfall (Pikes Falls) - a short drive away and Stratton Mountain/Resort is not too far either," notes reviewer Jaime R., highlighting the variety of water recreation available within short driving distance.
Gem mining activities: Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks offers family-friendly gem mining for an additional fee. "Being a fan of gems, I definitely bought an embarrassing amount of dirt for the gem mining(Got some good finds, so worth it!)" shares Krys M., indicating this activity provides tangible rewards for participants.
Archery practice: Lake George Escape Campground provides archery opportunities for guests seeking skill-based recreation. "Archery was awesome!" exclaims Kimberly S., showing enthusiasm for this less common camping activity.
River recreation: Several campgrounds feature river-based activities including tubing and fishing. "From tubing down the Schroon River to visiting local eateries in Bolton Landing, there is simply nothing better than a stay here," writes Tom D. about Lake George Schroon Valley Resort, pointing to the river as a central recreation feature.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Lake George RV Park receives consistent praise for cleanliness throughout the property. "The campground is so clean and nice! Perfect for the dogs with best dog park I ever saw. Pools and hot tubs extremely clean and the grounds looked more like a hotel resort than campground," reports Michael C., demonstrating the high maintenance standards.
Dog-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds welcome pets with specialized facilities. "Love this place I've been here more then one twice with a tent and once in a cabin," shares Paul Q. about Lake George Escape Campground, indicating pet-friendly options across accommodation types.
Entertainment options: Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks provides organized activities for various age groups. "The kids loved the gem mining and train rides!! We enjoyed the water view and the staff was so nice to us!" says Gayle S., highlighting multiple entertainment options within the campground.
Peaceful atmosphere: Brookwood RV Resort offers a quieter camping experience according to reviews. "Sites were really wooded, quiet, level, and spread out. Staff were super-helpful," notes John, emphasizing the tranquil setting that many campers seek.
What you should know
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise depending on site location. "Only downside was the road noise, our site was adjacent to the road and you could hear the loud noise of the tractor trailers all night," reports Lauren about Ledgeview Village RV Park, suggesting requesting sites away from main roads.
Variable Wi-Fi quality: Internet access varies significantly between parks. "WiFi: exists, but 100% unreliable. Not just slow, often was entirely offline or connected without Internet. When it did work, it was actually halfway decent," explains Katie E. about Dorset RV Park, indicating connectivity challenges.
Pet policies differ: Ledgeview Village RV Park maintains a no-pets policy, unlike most area campgrounds. This policy creates a quieter environment for those with allergies or who prefer camping without animals nearby.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate from early May through mid-October. "It's been a few years since we were last there but always enjoyed going here. Facilities were always clean. Campground is pet friendly and have a small dog park," notes Jason B. about Lake George Escape Campground, referencing consistent maintenance during operational months.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated kids' activities: Jamaica State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities including playgrounds. "Nice little weekend getaway. Clean bathrooms, roomy tent sites, nice staff. Fun playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls," advises Fransheska A.
Check swimming options: Alpine Lake RV Resort features both lake swimming and pool options. "They have movies, dances and even some kayaking, padding, ect. They have these dinos scattered throughout the park and also a few pools," mentions Meag F., highlighting multiple water recreation choices.
Consider site spacing: Some campgrounds offer better separation between sites for family privacy. "The sites are spacious, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites which we enjoyed," noted one RV traveler about camping in the region.
Evaluate bathroom facilities: Family-friendly campgrounds maintain clean restrooms. "The shower building closest to us wasn't very clean but that was probably due to the volume of people using it," observes Nancy W. about Lake George Escape Campground, suggesting checking bathhouse proximity when booking with children.
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: Brookwood RV Resort accommodates larger rigs despite some navigation challenges. "Roads in the park are confusing because none are parallel or perpendicular so we had to go slow just to make sure we didn't miss a turn in the RV," notes Nancy W. about Lake George Escape Campground, advising caution when driving larger vehicles.
Site leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require leveling equipment. "Our site was level but some definitely were not," reports Nancy W. about Dorset RV Park, suggesting bringing leveling blocks to RV campgrounds in the Fort Ann area.
Full hookup availability: Most RV parks offer complete services, but hookup quality varies. "The hookups were all well-placed and we didn't have any issues with the electric and the wifi at our site worked well," reports Nancy W. about Dorset RV Park, indicating the reliability of utilities.
Big rig accessibility: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger motorhomes. "Most of the sites are a bit too close for our particular liking but we've seen worse. It seems they just jammed in as many campsites as possible," cautions Nancy W. about Lake George Escape Campground, suggesting researching site dimensions before booking.
